The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the thick of a pivotal offseason-one that could define the next chapter of the franchise. After a lopsided playoff exit at the hands of the Houston Texans, the team quickly pivoted into overhaul mode.
First came the headline-grabber: Mike Tomlin, the face of Steelers football for nearly two decades, is out. In his place steps longtime NFL head coach Mike McCarthy, a seasoned veteran with a Super Bowl ring and a reputation for offensive structure.
But that’s just the beginning.
The Steelers still have several key vacancies to fill on McCarthy’s staff, and none looms larger than defensive coordinator. That search appears to be heating up fast-and if recent reports hold true, Pittsburgh may already have its frontrunner.
According to league sources, Patrick Graham is flying into Pittsburgh to interview for the job and is widely believed to be the leading candidate. While nothing is official yet, there’s growing confidence around the league that if the interview goes smoothly, Graham will be the next man tasked with leading the Steelers’ defense.
Graham is no stranger to the coordinator role. He’s spent the past few seasons running the defense for the Las Vegas Raiders, where he worked closely with elite talent like Maxx Crosby and helped shape a unit that earned respect around the league for its toughness and discipline. Before that, he held DC stints with both the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins, building a résumé that reflects adaptability and a deep understanding of defensive football.
What makes Graham an intriguing fit in Pittsburgh is how his style could mesh with the talent already in place. Despite the team’s offensive inconsistencies and the larger questions surrounding the quarterback position, the Steelers defense still boasts a core of elite veterans-led, of course, by T.J.
Watt, who remains one of the most disruptive forces in the league. The front seven is physical, the secondary has promise, and with the right coordinator, this group could anchor the team through whatever transitional phase lies ahead.
That’s the balance the Steelers are trying to strike right now: retooling without fully rebuilding. The end of the Tomlin era signaled a willingness to shake things up, but this isn’t a franchise looking to bottom out.
They still want to compete. And with McCarthy bringing his offensive blueprint and potentially Graham taking over the defense, there’s a path forward that doesn’t involve tearing everything down.
Of course, nothing is finalized yet. While one report suggests Graham may have already accepted the job, the official interview process is still underway. But if the Steelers do land him, they’ll be adding a coach with a proven track record, schematic versatility, and experience managing high-level defensive talent.
In a city where defense is part of the DNA, Graham might just be the kind of leader who can carry that tradition forward-while helping the Steelers navigate a new era of football in the process.